West Michigan Family Stores/Grand Rapids ARC

7 Biggest Thrift Shop Fails

The key to thrift shopping is optimism and a willingness to try new things...

7 Biggest Thrift Shop Fails

The key to thrift shopping is optimism and a willingness to try new things. Have you ever asked a friend or family member, where did you get that cute and effortless outfit, and they replied, “This old thing, I got it from a thrift store.” I don’t know about you, but many times I’m struck in awe by the many awesome outfits bought at thrift stores, little diamond-in-the-rough that seem easily found in these stores for a fraction of the cost of a new outfit.

To many people, a thrift store is a vaguely ominous place, then to add to the insult, thumbing through the racks without yielding that “Eureka” moment takes time and energy. Let’s face it, most of us are stubborn and don’t want to take the time to become a thrifting expert.

In order to redirect our inherited shopping fails, we must identify what they are and how to correct them.

Mistake One: Swayed by expensive thrift stores with great visuals

Many of us get suckered in to those shops that have all those great displays. You know those shops that offer expensive looking name brand items only shops. They may even sell new products in their stores. Real Thrift shops are going to look more loosely organized and many times don’t even have mannequins to display high end product. If the place is too showy, the cost will be inflated in a way that does not match the selection.

Mistake Two: Always being after that perfect find

When you are too focused on finding something specific or exact you are going to run into trouble. The key is to open you mind to different types of clothing options so you aren’t blind to what else is available.

Mistake Three: Never waiting to try things on

You know what I’m talking about. It’s a thrift shop. We tend to want to take the items home so we can wash them before we try them on. Now if you are lucky it might work for you, but it is a thrift shop. Thrift shops sell used product. That means the size on the tag may not be the actual size. That pair of paints May have been altered. That shirt may have stretched or shrank. So when you get them home they won’t fit.

Mistake Four: Being lazy

Shopping at one thrift store takes time, and if you are like me, I don’t even like getting out of bed on the weekends, or carrying my laundry up the stairs. Let’s say you’re looking for that perfect Halloween costume, you may need to go to a few different thrift shops to find all of the elements to your costume. You now have added even more time to your search. Planning your time accordingly is crucial to success.

Mistake Five: Being a germaphobe

It’s a thrift store, and it can be understandable to be leery. You need to make a choice to work past this and know that everything you buy you're going to wash when you get home. You can carry hand sanitizer with you if that helps overcome this feeling. (May want to also read: Secrets for Cleaning Secondhand Scores)

Mistake Six: Bargaining

This is not a hard & fast rule, but in some places, like flea markets and yard sales, this is the key for getting a good deal. The key move here is starting low and not being afraid to walk away. Of course, a good porker face does help.

Mistake Seven: Scared of the unknown

The key to thrift shopping is optimism and a willingness to try new things. You know, that pair of shorts that look awful on the rack. You would never wear something like that, but your friend says you should try it on and see what it looks like. So, you try them on and you fall in love with them. So maybe shopping with a friend or two is the best ways to get past this one, and at the same time, making it a fun experience.